Hughes considers England switch

Hughes says Owen Coyle's success at Burnely has not gone unnoticed

Falkirk manager John Hughes has admitted he is harbouring ambitions to manage a club in England.

Hughes has been linked with the vacant jobs at Charlton and Blackpool and said he would like a fresh challenge.

"I'm still committed to the club. I've worked with the board of directors for six great years," he told BBC Sport.

"When I see what Owen Coyle is doing at Burnley and the Scots boys down there like David Moyes and Alex McLeish - that's the playground I want to be in."

Hughes took the reigns at Falkirk in 2003, initially alongside Coyle.

Having won promotion to the SPL two years later Hughes almost steered his side to a top six finish last season.

He said the opportunity of managing a club with more financial muscle than Falkirk appealed to him at this stage of his career.

"I want to work with a budget that gives you a real opportunity. The credit crunch has hit us hard. I'm at my best when I've got the fire underneath my backside," he said.

And he believes his long service at Falkirk means fans would support him even if he decided to try his hand in England.

"When I got my move from Falkirk to Celtic I got so many letters saying thank you for what I'd given the club," Hughes said.

"I think that would be the case as well as a manager if I ever moved on. The fans wouldn't grudge me it."